What is Teletherapy? The Advantages of Online Therapy
Published December 14th, 2023
5.5 min read
Some people find speaking with a therapist online more convenient and accessible than traditional in-person therapy.
Written by Simon Spichak
Teletherapy is a popular alternative to in-person therapy. Rather than traveling to a therapist’s office and waiting in a crowded waiting room, you can speak with a therapist using your phone or computer from the comfort of your home. Teletherapy has made it easier than ever for people to access support for their mental health.
What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy simply means that you’re speaking with a therapist over the phone or online. Many other terms are used to describe teletherapy, including online therapy, e-counselling, cyber counselling, and cybertherapy.
Synchronous vs asynchronous teletherapy
There are two main types of teletherapy. Resolvve and many other practices use synchronous teletherapy, which involves speaking directly with a therapist online or over the phone.
Some apps offer asynchronous teletherapy, which basically means you’re texting or leaving voice notes for your therapist. However, these apps have been criticized because they only provide limited interaction with an overworked therapist who might have to text dozens of clients weekly. It also doesn’t allow you to explore issues in real-time with a therapist like in-person therapy or synchronous teletherapy.
What are the benefits of teletherapy?
There are many reasons that people choose teletherapy:
Convenience. You can speak with your therapist at home, in bed, or even while enjoying a sunny day outside.
Accessibility. You don’t have to spend extra time travelling back and forth to a physical location.
More choice of therapists. Unlike in-person therapy, you aren’t limited to therapists practicing close to home. You can connect with high-quality therapists in other cities or provinces that may provide a better experience.
Reduced wait times. Most teletherapy clinics have less wait time than an in-person therapist’s office.
Comfort and safety. Some people will feel less vulnerable and safer opening up to their therapist at home in a familiar environment than they would in a therapist’s office.
No need to show your face. Teletherapy can also be done over the phone or with the video off. This is great for people who find face-to-face interactions exhausting.
What are the disadvantages of teletherapy?
Some people might prefer in-person therapy for many reasons:
A preference for a face-to-face connection. They might not feel the same face-to-face connection online as they would in person.
More distractions. Some people might have difficulty focusing on the session and may be distracted by other apps on their phone or computer.
Technical limitations. Many people don’t have reliable internet access or devices that can handle teletherapy.
No safe spaces at home. Some people don’t feel safe enough at home to talk about their feelings and other vulnerable topics in therapy.
Is teletherapy as effective as face-to-face therapy?
Teletherapy has been around for more than twenty years. In that time, scientists have conducted a lot of research to compare whether teletherapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy.
A 2022 study published by researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark looked at clinical trials that tested synchronous teletherapy against in-person therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Looking at all of this data together, the researchers found that teletherapy was just as effective as in-person therapy.
So long as you find the right therapist — who you feel comfortable speaking with — using evidence-based therapy, teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy.
Is teletherapy private?
Confidentiality is an essential aspect of therapy. It helps people feel safe enough to share their vulnerable feelings and experiences without the risk of the information being shared elsewhere. Only you and the therapist will be privy to the information in an in-person session.
For teletherapy, this information is also transmitted to a video or audio service, and some information is then stored on another server. Resolvve, and many other therapy clinics use software like Jane App, designed to comply with privacy and security regulations.
Jane App uses 128-bit encryption to send information between your phone or computer and its servers. This is the same level of security that many banks use to keep your passwords safe when you’re typing them in.
Additionally, the company behind the Jane App has no access to your information. Only your therapist and administrative staff will have access to patient data.
Other platforms have similar levels of encryption and security to protect your private health information.
Is teletherapy right for me?
At the end of the day, therapy is extremely personal. But if you prefer the convenience and choice provided by teletherapy, it might be right for you. Some people might more consistently attend therapy online than in-person. If you’re ready to dive in, you can book an appointment with a therapist at Resolvve today.
Please note that this post is written for educational purposes; it is not therapy. If you need to talk to a professional, please book a consultation with a psychotherapist through Resolvve.
